buddd

We are planning a trip to Arkansas in July for 2-3 weeks. Through reading the advice in this forum we have decided we want to go to Petit Jean SP, the Buffalo River, Hot Springs NP (one day) and DeGray Lake. We enjoy hiking. With our days filling fast we are also considering Pinnacle MT SP, Mt Magazine SP and Crater of Diamonds. We don't have time to do them all so what advice can you offer us as to what to see or skip. Also, any other suggestions would be much appreciated.

spirobulldog

If it has rained Buffalo National River is easily the premier spot in Arkansas. It isn't a State Park, it is administerd by the National Park Service. It was the first National River in America.
The "must do" hikes there are-----
Hemmed In Hollow-hike or from a canoe/kayak-with a short hike
This hike features the tallest waterfall between the Rockys and Appalachians. The hike is tough or you can boat to it and hike just about 1/4 mile to it. I highly recommend kayaking or canoeing The Buffalo River if there is enough water. This is all on the UPPER Buffalo. www.buffaloriver.com has great info and good cabin rentals. Bill Clinton occasionally stays there.

The Lost Valley-take a flashlight as there is a neat little cave at the end of the trail that has a waterfall in the cave. The cave is very short only 100 feet or so. The trail features two other very nice waterfalls before you get to the cave.

Glory Hole Falls-This is the best small waterfall in the USA(guaranteed). I have seen virtually every major waterfall in America(well over 200 of them) and this one is one of my very very favorites. It isn't in any park. This is near Fallsville,AR and is a bit of a trick to find.

Pedestal Rock-administered by the forest service(i think) is a great hike that has 2 loop trails. Each loop will take you about 1.5 hours and they are fairly easy. one loop features Arkansas 3rd tallest waterfall.


Petit Jean State Park is great. The best hike there is to Cedar Falls. Again, this depends on rain. There is a Lake there too.
Another good hike there is the one that features Turtle Rocks.

Mt Magazine is very pretty with a new lodge that is nice. This place features a lot of butterflies in the summer.

Not far from Mt. Magazine is Mt. Nebo. I Mt. Nebo a bit better

. Hikes at both places feature outstanding views (there are no waterfalls at either really).

I have been to 30 National Parks. Hot Springs would rank dead last of all of them that I have been to.

Crater of Diamond and Pinnacles are both nice places to. Heck, maybe you'll find a big diamond. It seems the past couple of years they have been finding a lot more of them.

I live in Oklahoma(44 years)and hike these areas 10 times a year or so. I have hiked all the trails I mentioned many many times in every season.

Buy a book by Tim Ernst. He has a hiking book and a couple of waterfalls books. I use the waterfall book all the time and have hiked most of them that are listed.

July-expect brutally hot hot hot weather. Some years it is very dry. A trip in April or May would be far better.

Most of these locations are very remote. You will want to bring your own food and drinks as there really isn't even a grocery store at some of these spots.

spirobulldog

Virtually all of the State Parks campsites in Arkansas have full hookups. Even a lot of the tent sites have electric.

bigtyke

We really enjoyed Crater of Diamonds. We didn't find any, but the next day I heard on Paul Harvey's radio program about 8 yr old twins finding a big one later that day!

spirobulldog

You might catch Pinnacles and Crater of Diamonds on a rerun of The Duggars on TLC.

travelerfromtx

Well, I guess I'm in the minority here, but if you're looking to trim down the itinerary and trying to decide which one to drop, I would suggest skipping Crater of Diamonds. At least in July anyway. We went around July 4 one year and it was so blooming hot. And I am used to 100+ degree weather for days on end!! But digging around in a plowed up field of dirt in the heat just wasn't all that fun really. But I suppose if we would have found a diamond I would think differently! ;-0

Connie

Of those mentioned, we like Petit Jean best, Mt Nebo next. Hot Springs was a bore to me and DeGray Lake wasn't anything special, IMO.

I'd spend some time in Eureka Springs and give yourself plenty of time for the Buffalo River area.

2-3 weeks is a long time. You might want to go across the border into Branson.

We've enjoyed Lake Quachita state park.

AESL

I grew up on the Buffalo & spirobulldog is dead on with his comments. It's beautiful here. You can stay in nearby Harrison or if you want to stay by the river, check out the lodge up at Ponca, AR. We have not gotten hardly any rain this year so we're very dry..however you can still hike to all the falls. You can get up to date river/area info from B.O.C. (buffalo outdoor center). Branson, MO is a 45 minute drive from Harrison, and would offer lots to do as well (shopping, museums, resteraunts, lake outings, shows, & Silver Dollar City, the Branson Landing & much more). Good luck!